Intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics by redistributing strain to PEDOT:PSS with enhanced stretchability and interfacial adhesion

Abstract Intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics have emerged as a prominent candidate for the next-generation wearable power generators regarding their structural design flexibility, omnidirectional stretchability, and in-plane deformability. However, formulating strategies to fabricate intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics that exhibit mechanical robustness under both repetitive strain cycles and high tensile strains remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate high-performance intrinsically stretchable organic photovoltaics with an initial power conversion efficiency of 14.2%, exceptional stretchability (80% of the initial power conversion efficiency maintained at 52% tensile strain), and cyclic mechanical durability (95% of the initial power conversion efficiency retained after 100 strain cycles at 10%). The stretchability is primarily realised by delocalising and redistributing the strain in the active layer to a highly stretchable PEDOT:PSS electrode developed with a straightforward incorporation of ION E, which simultaneously enhances the stretchability of PEDOT:PSS itself and meanwhile reinforces the interfacial adhesion with the polyurethane substrate. Both enhancements are pivotal factors ensuring the excellent mechanical durability of the PEDOT:PSS electrode, which further effectively delays the crack initiation and propagation in the top active layer, and enables the limited performance degradation under high tensile strains and repetitive strain cycles.